For the fourth consecutive year, the Observatory of Social Inclusion is conducting field surveys on accessibility and the elderly in the Municipalities of the South Aegean. At the same time, additional thematic areas that emerged during the consultations with Social Services and Community Centers, such as juvenile delinquency and gender-based violence, will be explored.
On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, the 1st survey for 2024 was carried out with the participation of the social services of the Municipality of Syros – Ermoupolis. The Observatory team, consisting of Ms. Konstantina Kourkoumari, Ms. Kyriaki Kyritsi and Ms. Theodora Symeonoglou, discussed with the social workers of the Community Center: Ms. Maria Strati, Ms. Anastasia Vergou and Mr. Ilias Markousis (coordinator of the Community Center).
During the interview, the importance of a personalized approach to the beneficiaries of the Community Center and of informing the citizens about the role of social workers in counseling individuals became apparent. In the matter of accessibility, the need to carry out improvement projects for all citizens as well as actions to accept people with disabilities was discussed. Regarding the issue of old age combined with loneliness, as it emerged that these people are one of the most vulnerable groups of the population, there was concern that it is a challenge that the state health services and the social structures of the Municipalities will have to address in the future.
Then, a meeting was held with Ms. Sofia Lagoudaki, Director of Social Protection, Education and Sports, as well as with Mr. Apostolos Maris, Head of Social Protection of the Municipality, in the presence of the Director of Social Care of the Cyclades, Mr. Dimitris Aloumanis. Regarding accessibility, the important efforts of the Municipality were discussed, while concerning the other issues, importance was given to the willingness of individuals to come and ask for help, as social services are open to all individuals. In terms of juvenile delinquency, it was reported to the relevant Committee of the Municipality and the social workers stated that parents are also responsible for changing the behavior of young people. Finally, the interviewees agreed that the fact that the schools are staffed, albeit seasonally, with social workers and psychologists, so that they have a more active role in dealing with the issue, is positive.
Summarizing, the interviews highlighted the need for staff for all the social structures of the Municipality in order for them to function properly, the importance of networking and cooperation between the competent bodies as well as financing and long-term planning. Furthermore, as society is changing rapidly, it is necessary to educate both the workers themselves and the citizens so that they will be able to deal with the issues mentioned above.
We would like to sincerely thank the Community Center and the Social Service of the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis. For the next period of time, the Observatory of Social Inclusion is planning surveys in Leros (for the Dodecanese) and Tinos (for the Cyclades).
